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5. E-TEXTILES

RESEARCH

E-textiles (or electronic textiles) are fabrics that incorporate electronics and digital components into their fibers, enabling interaction with the environment or the wearer. The development of e-textiles began in the 1990s, with early innovations emerging from MIT’s Media Lab, where researchers pioneered the concept of embedding electronics into fabric. This early work laid the foundation for the integration of conductive threads, wearable circuits, and soft sensors into textiles, making them responsive and interactive. E-textiles have since expanded across industries, from fashion and art to medical technology and wearable computing. These textiles are often used for biometric monitoring, light displays, and haptic feedback in a soft, flexible form, eliminating the need for rigid, bulky hardware. With ongoing advancements in conductive materials and wearable microcontrollers—such as the Arduino FLORA used in this project—e-textiles continue to evolve, offering endless possibilities for interactive and responsive garment design (MIT, 2020).

WTF IS ELECTRICITY?

There are three very basic concepts that are crucial when talking about electricity:

    𖡎 electric charge,
    𖡎 electric current,
    𖡎 electric circuit,

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter, though its exact nature is still not fully understood by physicists. Two key particles within atoms — protons and electrons — carry electric charge. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons carry a negative charge.

Electric current refers to the flow of electric charge, which occurs when electrons move from one atom to another. This is something we encounter daily—when you turn on a light switch, electric current flows through the wire to the light, illuminating the room.

Some materials allow electric current to flow more easily than others. Materials that allow current to pass through them easily are called conductors, while those that resist the flow of current are known as insulators.

Electric circuit is a closed loop that allows electric current to flow through it. A simple circuit typically includes a power source (like a battery), a device (like a lamp), and a conductor (such as a wire) connecting them, creating a pathway for the current to travel (Dummies).

Energy is measured in Jules (J), voltage in Volts (V) and Charge in Coulombs(C).

Georg Ohm discovered the relationship between voltage (V), resistance (R), and current (I), expressed by the formula called Ohm’s law:

V=I⋅R

This means that when resistance is very high, the current becomes very small, and if the current is zero, it indicates an open circuit. On the other hand, when resistance is nearly zero, the current can become extremely large, which can result in a short circuit (Dummies, 2016).

CAN I RECYCLE E-TEXTILES?

In the paper "Design for Recycling of E-Textiles: Current Issues of Recycling of Products Combining Electronics and Textiles and Implications for a Circular Design Approach" by Elisabeth Eppinger et al. (2022), the authors highlight the challenges of recycling e-textiles due to the complex integration of electronics and textiles. E-textiles combine conductive fibers, sensors, and electronic components with fabrics, making them difficult to disassemble and process in standard recycling streams. Current recycling infrastructure struggles with separating these intertwined materials, leading to a significant environmental impact when these products are disposed of. The authors emphasize the need for a circular design approach, where products are designed with their end-of-life in mind, allowing for easier disassembly, material recovery, and recycling. They suggest innovative strategies like modular electronics, biodegradable components, and improved material identification to reduce waste and improve the sustainability of e-textiles. This circular approach could significantly reduce e-waste and contribute to more sustainable production and consumption patterns in the growing field of wearable technology.

WTF IS BIOENERGY?

Bioenergy can be produced from discarded fruits and vegetables, demonstrating an innovative approach to sustainable energy generation. By utilizing the natural organic compounds found in fruit waste, such as sugars and acids, bioelectricity can be generated through microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In these cells, microorganisms break down the organic matter, releasing electrons that create a flow of electric current. This process effectively turns food waste into a renewable energy source, reducing both waste disposal issues and reliance on traditional fossil fuels. The study shows promising results in using fruit waste, such as banana peels and orange peels, to generate small but significant amounts of electricity, highlighting the potential for bioelectricity as part of a circular economy. This approach not only offers an environmentally friendly way to repurpose food waste but also opens up new possibilities for sustainable energy solutions (Flores et al., 2021).

IMPORTANT WEBSITES

TOOLS

  • BREADBOARD : a small plastic board for plugging in components without soldering. Ideal for prototyping and testing circuits quickly.
  • MULTIMETER: used to check voltage, current, or resistance. Helps find problems like broken connections or incorrect readings.
  • SOLDERING IRON: used to join electronic parts with metal (solder). Creates strong, lasting connections between wires and components.
  • VELOSTAT: a special material that changes resistance when pressed. Perfect for making soft, touch-responsive sensors.
  • CONDUCTIVE THREAD: this thread carries electricity just like a wire but can be sewn into fabric. Great for flexible, wearable circuits.
  • LEDs tiny lights that turn on in response to sensors. Used to show when the sensor is pressed or touched.
  • RESISTORS: small components that limit how much current flows to protect things like LEDs from burning out.
  • JUMPER WIRES flexible wires for connecting components on the breadboard or between sensors and Arduino.
  • ADAFRUIT MICROCONTROLLER (FLORA): a small, round microcontroller made for wearables. Handles code and connects all the components in the fabric project.

FLORA ARDUINO

FLORA is Adafruit’s all-in-one microcontroller made specifically for wearables. It’s round, sewable, and fully compatible with Arduino, making it ideal for building interactive textile-based projects.

TYPES OF CIRCUITS

CIRCUITS EXPERIMANTATION

SOFT CIRCUIT WITH CONDUCTIVE THREAD

  • LED: emits light when the circuit is closed
  • VELOSTAT: pressure sensor, formed with layers of conductive fabric and Velostat (black flexible material), acting as a variable resistor
  • COIN CELL BATTERY: powers the circuit
  • CONDUCTIVE THREAD: functions as both wiring and a structural element, allowing the entire circuit to remain flexible
  • TYPE:Analog soft circuit
  • INTERACTION:
    • pressing the triangle (sensor area) lights the LED

LED + COIN BATTERY

  • The longer leg (anode) of the LED is connected to the + side of the battery
  • The shorter leg (cathode) touches the - side
  • This basic test confirms the LED is functional and shows which leg is positive
  • TYPE: Basic direct circuit
  • PURPOSE: LED test using battery without any resistors or Arduino.

ARDUINO + BREADBOARD (LED * RESISTOR)

  • The blue LED is connected to a digital pin (D10)
  • A resistor is placed in series to limit current and protect the LED
  • The breadboard helps organize the circuit and makes connections easy
  • TYPE: digital LED circuit
  • PURPOSE: link or control LED brightness using Arduino

ARDUINO + BREADBOARD WITH MULTIPLE LEDs

  • Arduino UNO to control multiple LEDs of different colors (orange, blue, etc.)
  • Resistors for each LED to avoid burning them out
  • Jumper wires to connect digital output pins from Arduino to LEDs via breadboard
  • TYPE: Multi-LED control setup
  • PURPOSE Possibly testing different pins or a sensor-triggered LED sequence

    • PROJECT

    This week was really challenging. I found it frustrating that none of the projects from previous years seemed satisfying enough to build upon. Initially, my idea was to create a bracelet or choker with material spikes that would react to proximity sensors—the closer someone came, the more the spikes would rise. I also wanted to integrate music, so that as people approached, songs of screaming Marilyn Manson would grow louder, intensifying the sense of discomfort and intrusion.

    The idea was to explore the concept of sensory overload in everyday life. The loud, aggressive music symbolizes overstimulation, while the spikes stand for the defensive mechanisms people develop to shield themselves from the overwhelming nature of social interactions. Inspired by the pufferfish, the spikes serve as a visual warning to maintain distance, while the music reflects the rising pressure that builds inside.

    Unfortunately, my initial idea was too ambitious, which led me to rethink my approach. I decided to create something simpler that still reflects some sort of pain or discomfort. I came up with the idea of HURT.

    LAYERS + SCHEMATIC

    DIGITAL AND ANALOG SENSORS

    The digital soft sensor was created using capacitive touch sensors. These were embedded around the fabric "wound," allowing interaction by simply pressing the fabric to trigger changes in light intensity.

    The analog sensor was a pressure sensor made from conductive fabric and velostat, placed underneath the denim layer. The pressure applied to the surface alters the sensor’s resistance, which is read by the Arduino’s AnalogRead function to adjust the brightness of the light underneath the "wound."

    DIGITAL

    Here’s the sample Arduino code to capture the digital reading:

    void setup() {

  pinMode(10, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(10, HIGH);  // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);                      // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(10, LOW);   // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);                      // wait for a second
}

    ANALOG

    The sensor readings were documented using the AnalogRead function in Arduino. The pressure sensor provided variable values based on the intensity of the touch, allowing for real-time interaction. The readings ranged from 0 to 1023, with lower values when less pressure was applied and higher values when more pressure was exerted.

    Here’s the sample Arduino code to capture the analog reading:

    const int sensorPin = 10; 

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); 
}

void loop() {
  int sensorValue = analogRead(sensorPin);
  float voltage = sensorValue * (3.3 / 1023.0); 
  Serial.print("Raw Value: ");
  Serial.print(sensorValue);
  Serial.print("\tVoltage: ");
  Serial.println(voltage); 

  delay(100);
}

    CIRCUIT AND SCHEMATIC DOCUMENTATION

    The circuit schematic for the project includes:

      𖡎 Capacitive touch sensors connected to digital pins on the Arduino.
      𖡎 The pressure sensor connected to an analog pin.
      𖡎 Red LEDs controlled by both types of sensors.
      𖡎 Power supply via a small LiPo battery to keep the project wearable.

    STEP-BY-STEP INTEGRATION PROCESS

    1. Sewed the capacitive touch sensors around the denim tear using conductive thread and connected them to digital pins D6 and D7 on the FLORA board.
    2. Positioned the pressure sensor (velostat between conductive fabric layers) under the wound area and stitched it into place.
    3. Connected the pressure sensor to Analog Pin A0.
    4. Sewed red LED threads behind the blood-colored fabric using conductive thread, wired to D9.
    5. Pwered the FLORA using a 3.7V LiPo battery attached to the back.

    ONE SAMPLE - TWO MODES

    To clarify, in this project, both the digital and analog interactions were created using the same sample. The difference lies in how the Arduino reads the signal.

    When connected to a digital input pin, the sensor acts like a basic capacitive touch switch. A threshold is defined in the code to register a simple ON/OFF state. If touched (or pressed), the sensor sends a HIGH signal and the LED turns ON; otherwise, it stays OFF.

    When connected to an analog input pin, the exact pressure applied to the sensor is measured as a continuous value between 0–1023. This allows for gradual control of the LED's brightness based on how hard the fabric is pressed.

    ✦ This setup demonstrates how the same textile sensor can be repurposed in both digital and analog modes—providing a rich, flexible interaction design with minimal material change.

    REFERENCES

      𖡎 Dummies (no date) Electronics Basics: Fundamentals of Electricity. Dummies. Available at: https://www.dummies.com/article/technology/electronics/general-electronics/electronics-basics-fundamentals-of-electricity-180218/ [Accessed 18/10/2024].
      𖡎 Dummies (2016) Electronics Measurement: Ohm’s Law. Dummies. Available at: https://www.dummies.com/article/technology/electronics/general-electronics/electronics-measurement-ohms-law-180095/?keyword=ohm [Accessed 18/10/2024].
      𖡎 MIT Media Lab (2020) Project Overview: A tailored, electronic textile conformable suit for large-scale spatiotemporal physiological sensing in vivo. MIT Media Lab. Available at: https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/a-tailored-electronic-textile-conformable-suit/overview/ [Accessed 18/10/2024].
      𖡎 Eppinger, E. et al. (2023) ‘Design for Recycling of E-Textiles: Current Issues of Recycling of Products Combining Electronics and Textiles and Implications for a Circular Design Approach’, Recycling Strategy and Challenges Associated with Waste Management Towards Sustaining the World [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107527.
      𖡎 Flores, S.R. et al. (2021) ‘Generation of Bioelectricity from Organic Fruit Waste’, Environmental Research, Engineering and Management, 77(3), pp. 6–14. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.77.3.28493.